DJ Salisbury, the New York City actor/director/writer who is directing in Saugatuck for his first time, said the show is all
about what Jordan “created as an artist, and the joy and expression in the material.”

In the show, there’s no biographical information about Jordan, the bandleader, singer and sax man who bridged the swing era
and the rock 'n’ roll/rhythm and blues era.

Jordan hit on a formula that made him one
of the most successful black recording artists of the last century. He
mixed jazz, blues, boogie-woogie and Latin sounds that backed humorous
lyrics full of jive talk of the day. The style was a hit with both
black and white jitterbuggers of the late-’30s, ’40s and early ’50s.

Jordan’s songs “Saturday Night Fish Fry,” “What’s the Use of Getting Sober (When You’re Gonna Get Drunk Again),” “Caldonia,”
“Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens,” “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby?” and others
fill “Five Guys Named Moe.” The “jukebox musical,” which originated in
London in 1990 following the successful formula of “Ain’t Misbehavin’,”
is basically an excuse for “a rollicking good time,” Salisbury said.

The plot is simple: Nomax, a present-day sufferer of the lovelorn variety, turns on his radio and connects with the song “Early
in the Morning (And I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But the Blues).” The five guys jump out of the radio, and help him leave the blues
behind with Jordan’s songs.

“You get on board with the playful
attitude of the five guys being a supportive voice for this other man
who’s having this relationship difficulty,” Salisbury said. “We all
have that kind of music that we listen to when we need to be inspired,
need to be lifted out of our blues or let us sit in our blues for a
while.”

Salisbury, having never worked in this area as a director, wasn’t sure who would turn out for show auditions.

“I was really very impressed with the caliber of performer,” he said of his casting pool, adding he’s “very excited” to work
with the dancer/singer/actors.